Enjoy a Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting!
At present, some 100 vineyards are also open to the public offering you the opportunity of a most enjoyable day out. If you have a bit more time, then you might want to consider a wine break – a chance to try good food as well as some of the local wines.
Leading vineyards include Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey, Three Choirs in Gloucestershire, English Wines Tenterden, Kent and Camel Valley in Cornwall. Don’t miss out on English Wine Week, taking place every May, when many vineyards attract visitors with events and special offers.
Today, England produces most styles of wine, from some excellent sparkling wines, all produced by the traditional, champagne method – look out for wines from award-winning RidgeView, Nyetimber and Chapel Down – to still whites, rosés, reds and luscious dessert wines.
A typical English still wine is white, aromatic, delicate and fruity, clean and fresh with good length and finish. There are a host of wonderful wines from different parts of the country. English wines accompany many regional dishes, or are ideal on their own, and don’t forget the perfect combination of cheese and wine!
Use the links below to find out more about England's vineyards.
Biddenden
The vineyards were established by the Barnes family in 1969. Predominantly German varieties are grown including Ortega, Huxelrebe, Bacchus, Schönburger and Reichensteiner.
Bookers
Bookers is one of the oldest vineyards of the modern English era. Planting began in 1973 with the first pressing three years later in 1976. Now production extends to White and Red Still wines, plus White and Rosé Sparkling.
Camel Valley
At Camel Valley they have been producing award-winning, world-class wines in a beautiful corner of Cornwall for over 15 years - an idyllic setting on sun-drenched slopes near the famous Camel River.
Denbies
Set in the spectacular scenery of the Surrey Hills, Denbies is one of the largest privately owned vineyards in Europe. The chateau-style visitor centre offers excellent facilities and "Wine Experience" tours operate all year.
Frome Valley
Frome Valley's vines are grown on a gentle south facing slope in idyllic English countryside. They produce a range of white wines to suit all tastes from dry to medium sweet.
Lamberhurst
Lamberhurst Vineyard is situated in the heart of the Kent countryside only 15 minutes south of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Free tastings of both wine and some of their food lines are offered all year round.
Leventhorpe
Established in 1985, Leventhorpe is the most northerly commercial vineyard at present, but the local topography, south-facing slope and micro-climate are generous.
Painshill Park
Painshill Park is one of the 18th century’s great landscape parks. Here they produce three wines, sparkling, rose and a dry white wine which is a blend of seyval blanc and Madelaine Angevine.
RidgeView
RidgeView Estate is dedicated solely to the production of the highest quality sparkling wine from traditional Champagne varieties and methods.
Sharpham
Classic English wines are produced at Sharpham vineyard as a result of a happy marriage of soil, climate and grape variety known as terroir. They employ both New World and traditional techniques.
Tenterden
Tenterden Vineyard is the home of English Wines plc, who make wines under the Chapel Down brand, and encompasses 25 acres of vines planted on south-facing slopes.
Three Choirs
Three Choirs Vineyard is England's leading and most awarded, single estate vineyard. It is now one of Gloucestershire's main attractions, offering a unique experience for both wine enthusiasts and casual visitors.
Wickham
At Wickham you can take an audio tour around the vineyard and listen to the history of English Wine, the development of the vineyard and the work which takes place throughout the year.
For more information visit the website of English Wine Producers (www.englishwineproducers.com )
